Baja Fresh Testing ‘Future’ Chain Concept in O.C.

July 14th, 2009, 6:47 am · Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is testing consumer reaction to a more upscale restaurant in Irvine – a prototype eatery that offers bolder food flavors, a more intimate dining experience – featuring quartz countertops - and cocktails.

The restaurant, which underwent a massive remodel last winter, will soon add margaritas and Mexican beer to the menu — a first for corporate restaurants run by the Cypress-based fast-casual chain. (A Baja Fresh franchisee in Huntington Beach recently received a permit to serve margaritas.)

The alcohol is expected to compliment new food additions at the prototype restaurant, which features dishes such as Kogi Korean BBQ tacos, cilantro lime rice and spicier salsa bar offerings.

Also new:

• Wooden chairs and tables with CaesarStone countertops have replaced bar stools and metal tables at the remodeled restaurant, located in the same center as Gelson’s market.

• The Irvine restaurant expects to get its permit to serve margaritas and Mexican-branded beer by next month. The margarita will be served in a 12-oz. tumbler on the rocks. Dine-in only! If the test is successful, “we would consider rolling out margaritas and beer in more locations,” said Baja Fresh President Chuck Rink. In fact, “in preparation for this, we have applied for (permits at) 13 more locations.” Stay tuned.

• Food and drinks are no longer served in paper ‘boats’ and cups for dine-in customers. Instead, the restaurant uses real silverware, plastic cups and melamine plates. Tortilla chips are also brought to your table in a basket.

• The salsa bar features 7 salsas, including two new spicier salsas. It has also added fresh, pickled carrots — a common table offering at many authentic Mexican restaurants. A new fresh tomatillo salsa has been so well received that the chain plans to debut it soon in all Baja locations, Rink said.

• A redesigned menu board promotes customization of Baja Classics such as burritos and salads. It recommends a “step by step” ordering process that is similar to how you order at Chipotle Mexican Grill.

• The Irvine eatery is also testing new meals such as Baja Kogi tacos and burritos. It is also serving cilantro-lime white rice as a side dish. (Later this week, look out for a review of the new Kogi tacos)

The redesign and menu makeover is a test only concept – one that could dictate what the “Baja Fresh of the future” might look like, said Rink.

Irvine Baja address: 5633 Alton Pkwy. (949) 551-2252

For more information about CaesarStone quartz countertops please visit: www.caesarstoneus.com.

Original story: http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/14/baja-fresh-testing-restaurant-of-the-future-in-oc/27993/

Disclaimer:This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

BAZZEO’S ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN COLLECTION A HIT AT DWELL ON DESIGN 2009

Bazzèo, known for manufacturing Eco-Centric & sustainable kitchen products, launched its new kitchen collection at DWELL ON DESIGN (DOD). Dwell on Design is the premiere Modern Design Show on the West Coast and was located at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 26th through June 28th, 2009.

The main showpiece of Bazzèo’s DOD presentation was the award winning GAIA in “Gunmetal” Grey, Oak Eco-Veneer. Some key eco-sensitive design features highlighted Bazzèo’s partnerships with such companies as FAGOR, energy-efficient appliances manufacturer, and CaesarStone, quartz countertops manufacturer. This partnership also featured the first US showing of CaesarStone’s new countertop material made from 45% post-fabrication, recycled quartz.

“We were very pleased with the response to Bazzèo from both the consumer as well as the residential design professional,” remarked Iko Aviv, founder and chief designer of Bazzèo, “the reception to our earth-friendly cabinetry has far exceeded our expectations”. He went on to say “It was very clear to us that the American home owner is ready for a clean and modern, earth-friendly kitchen.”

The GAIA collection, as well as all Bazzèo products, meet, and in most cases, exceed LEED guidelines without compromising quality, flexibility and finishing options. All Bazzèo products are manufactured in the USA to a strict quality control standard with certified recycled and recovered wood materials. Bazzèo cabinets, countertops, and other kitchen & bath products may contribute towards specific LEED credits under the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. Through their products, designs, and worthwhile partnerships, Bazzèo has continued to show America that green design can be sleek, modern, and sustainable, if it combines all the right features.

For more information regarding Bazzèo Kitchens, other Bazzèo products as well as high resolution photography, please visit www.bazzeo.com. And for more information about CaesarStone quartz countertops visit www.caesarstoneus.com.

Disclaimer:This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CaesarStone Proud to be Sole Countertop Provider for House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year

CaesarStone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, will once again be a part of House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year. This is the second year for the unique installation, which is set in New York City’s Rockefeller Center.

The first year saw CaesarStone’s countertops in Misty Carrera (4141), which were one of the focal points of the room. This year the company is proud to be adding their Raven (4120) countertop surfaces to this exciting dream kitchen.

The Barefoot Contessa is pairing with the project this year. Ina Garten, Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, best selling cookbook author and House Beautiful Contributing Editor will be adding her unique design and lifestyle. This year’s design will be inspired by Garten and designed by Robert Stilton.

The Kitchen of the Year will be open daily from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24 (2PM – 4PM on Monday and 9AM – 5PM the rest of the week. Each day, tours and demonstrations on everything from kitchen design to product sampling will be offered. A complete schedule of events can be found by visiting the Kitchen of the Year at www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA.CaesarStone produces premium quartz surfaces, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a lifetime warranty, their countertops are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute in addition to ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), GREENGUARD certification, a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) and NSF (public health and safety) certification.

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For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

ONLY A FEW MONTHS LEFT TO ENTER CAESARSTONE’S DREAM DESIGN CONTEST AND WIN CASH PRIZES

CaesarStone, the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer, will be drawing a close to its Dream Design Contest on September 30^th of this year. Dozens of beautiful and innovative designs have already been entered in this unique contest, introduced this year. Cash prizes will be awarded to thirty winners whose designs are chosen. The projects can be in any room or form as long as CaesarStone is the sole surface used.

The entry period for the competition began April 1^st of this year. Entrants were asked to go to CaesarStone’s website and enter any project where they used CaesarStone beginning March 1, 2009 to the final entry date of September 30^th.

Designers need to go to www.CaesarStoneUS.com/dreamdesign to enter their projects. From there they will need to fill out a form, give a brief description of their design and upload at least five photos of the project. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges by quality and beauty of the design.

The following are the cash prizes:

1^st Place: $5,000

2^nd Place: $4,000

3^rd Place: $3,000

4^th Place: $2,000 (Six Winners)

5^th Place: $1,000 (21 Winners)

All of the winning designs will also be featured on the CaesarStone website. For details, rules and regulations go to www.CaesarStoneUS.com/dreamdesign.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertop & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA.quartz countertops & surfaces, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a lifetime warranty, their countertops are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute in addition to ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), GREENGUARD certification, a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) and NSF (public health and safety) certification.

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For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CAESARSTONE CELEBRATES SECOND YEAR AS SURFACE PROVIDER FOR HGTV’S GREEN HOME

Van Nuys, CA (June 1, 2009) CaesarStone, the original quartz countertop, is once again part of HGTV’s extremely popular Green Home Giveaway. The home, which is in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, features CaesarStone’s Chocolate Truffle and Smoky Ash surfaces throughout the eco-friendly home.

Chocolate Truffle and Smoky Ash are both part of CaesarStone’s Color Expressions 09 Collection, which features eight new colors. The two colors are both made with post consumer recycled materials, making them the obvious choice for this project.

“CaesarStone quartz countertops were a fantastic green feature in last year’s HGTV Green Home,” said Jack Thomasson, Professional House Planner. “Their introduction of countertops with greater recycled materials made them an even greener choice for this year’s project. “

The Green Home Giveaway began this year on April 19^th and ends June 5^th. The winner is the proud new owner of the 2,430-square-foot contemporary Spanish-style cottage which features construction and design elements that contribute to an energy efficient, cleaner and healthier living environment. This year’s home received a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and earned an Indoor airPLUS label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

CaesarStone found this to be the perfect project in keeping with its eco-friendly practices. It was the first quartz surfacing company worldwide to carry global standard ISO 14001 certification for environmental protection in its industry. This means that in and outside of their plant, everything done is according to its environmental management policy whereby they maintain safety standards to protect all workers, observe eco-friendly production processes, and do their utmost to work only with eco-friendly suppliers. CaesarStone’s continuous mission is to keep the planet as beautiful as its products.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA.countertops & surfaces, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a lifetime warranty as of February 15, 2008; their products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute in addition to ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9001 (quality management standard), GREENGUARD certification, a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) and NSF (public health and safety) certification.

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For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Make Your Kitchen Alive by Using Quartz Countertops

Kitchen is where we spend major part of our time during a day at home. A run-down kitchen can easily spoil the fun of an off-day. Having an appeal of aesthetic decor in it can not only lift your mood but also ensures that food is prepared in hygienic surroundings. Renovating kitchen with quartz countertops can add new colors to a dull kitchen and brighten-up anyone’s day.

Till few decades back, the choice of quartz countertops was limited to wealthy individuals, a tradition which has been long broken by the concept of modular kitchens. Today individuals and families want kitchens to be compact and jazzy.

Quartz countertops have recently gained a lot of attention due to their beauty and home owners prefer them for their durability and low-cost price. Combining ground quartz with a coloring pigment and a binding agent can give a dramatic boost to its life. There are many different shaped- edges stones to select from, most common being crown moulded, rounded, marble and granite patterns. The natural beauty of a quartz kitchen countertop complements any style of cabinets, from sleek cosmopolitan styles to rich French country lines of wood. Available within the range of $41 to $65 per square feet including the installation cost, this antique stone adds warmth and character to any kitchen whether it's a remodel or a new build.

Quartz is the one of the only maintenance free countertop available in the market. It has a nonporous nature which makes it bacteria, mold and mildew resistant and need to seal or treat it with chemicals is eliminated.

The most widely used quartz countertop is Silestone which is widely used across different countries. Known for combining timeless beauty, sophisticated elegance with innumerable strength and versatility, Silestone is a superior choice when it comes to décor of home surfaces.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Bazzèo Awarded for Green Innovation for Kitchen Design

NEW YORK HOUSE magazine, announced today that Bazzèo was awarded the Innovative Green Design Award (IGDA) for Kitchen Design. A panel of four independent judges rated Bazzèo on a criteria of green and sustainable design and manufacturing practices as well as innovation and overall aesthetics. Nancy Meyer, editor of NEW YORK HOUSE magazine said, “The judges felt that Bazzèo, both the product as well as manufacturing processes were exceptional and deserved the distinction of winner in the Furniture/Kitchen category.”

For the competition, Bazzèo submitted the Gaia in oak eco-veneer and frosted glass. The doors and drawer fronts as well as paneling are created using a reconstituted oak veneer over a ¼” compressed laminate core or ¼” frosted glass front mounted on a 4 piece aluminum frame. The veneer doors and drawers were finished using a water-based, non-toxic stain. The Bazzèo cabinet box is made from 100% recycled as well as recovered wood waste and is held together with a formaldehyde free resin. Besides the earth-friendly cabinetry, the presentation features energy efficient appliances by FAGOR and a recycled quartz countertops from CaesarStone.

In addition to innovative design, Bazzèo was awarded in part for its green manufacturing practices. The state of the art, BAZZEO factory is a real-world example in sustainability with its “Zero Waste” resource management system, whereby all waste is collected and recycled into new materials. “At BAZZEO, the reduction and elimination of waste has always been a fundamental manufacturing element at Bazzèo” said Iko Aviv, President and Founder of Bazzèo. Mr Aviv went on to say, “We are very honored to be recognized by NEW YORK HOUSE for our hard work and dedication to green manufacturing and design.”

CaesarStone is also recognized for its sustainability, from the manufacturing process to the end product, CaesarStone’s quartz countertops are created with recycled, raw materials, in a clean and energy efficient environment. All their products are nonporous, stain, scratch, and heat resistant as well as committed to cleanliness, safety, and low maintenance.

In conjunction with the GreenBuildingsNY conference, the award will be officially presented to Bazzèo at the Green Design Networking Reception on June 16th, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertop manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Miami, New York, and Atlanta.CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Original Story: http://www.phatguru.com/?p=7243

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.